Mandera County government officials have praised the drop in HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in the county.
According to the National AIDS Control Council statistics, there has been a decline in the HIV prevalence rate for the past three years.
Area Deputy Governor Mohamed Arai attributes the drop to efforts made by the county government in providing resources needed to fight the infection.
Speaking during the World AIDS day celebrations in Mandera town on Saturday, Mr Arai said the county government worked with the national government and development partners.
According to the deputy governor, the prevalence rate had dropped from 1.7 percent in 2015 to about 0.2-0.5 percent in 2018.
“Efforts made by the county government in liaison with the national government and development partners has seen the decline in AIDs transmission. The devolved unit will continue allocating resources towards fighting other infections in the region through the midterm expenditure framework (MTEF),” said Mr Arai.
Mandera town MCA Aden Abdullahi said those engaging in illegal businesses in the region which aid in spreading of the disease will soon be arrested adding that such businesses are against the Islamic religion.
“We are at an advanced stage of profiling illegal businesses which aid in the spreading of the disease. We urge the residents in the region to abide by the area culture and traditions and desist from businesses that were not in line with the Islamic religion,” he said.
Public health county executive committee member Mohamud Mohamed asked the youth to shun unacceptable behaviors that would lead to contracting HIV.
Mr Mohamed emphasized that the youth should abstain from premarital sex and those who were compelled to engage in sexual activities to consider using contraceptives.
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